For My Good

Joseph's story in Genesis is a beautiful one of reconciliation and restoration. It begins when Joseph's brothers are jealous and want Joseph dead. They sell him into slavery, faking his death by bringing his coat of many colors ripped and covered with blood to their father. Years pass, and Joseph is a slave, is accused falsely, and is thrown into prison. He continues to love and trust God throughout his hardships, even though they are many. Then, because of his God-given ability to interpret dreams, he rises to power in Egypt. And one day, his brothers unexpectedly arrive needing help because of a famine in their land. Who is the one person with the help they need? Yep. That's right. Joseph.

Joseph hides his identity from his brothers for a while, but when he can stand it no longer...

He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

From Genesis 45, ESV

I cry every time I read this story. Crocodile tears, I tell you! The forgiveness Joseph shows, the humbleness the brothers reveal, and the understanding Joseph displays of the sovereignty of God all rock me to the core. God sent Joseph there. The brothers did not. Even though his brothers sinned against Joseph in very obvious and horrible ways, God was the author of Joseph's life, not them. They had no power over Joseph, even if they thought they did at the time. God alone has authority over His people. The irony of their "killing" Joseph saving their own lives gives me chills. Only a loving God works like this, working all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. 

I rejoice in this God! He is able to take sins, even others' that were meant to hurt me, and use them for my well-being. He can use them in beneficial ways in other people's lives, too. Oh, great and mighty is He! 

No matter how terrible things seem, it's all for my good, for your good, and best of all, for His glory!